It is common knowledge that our bodies take the food we eat and turn it into the energy we need to survive. This worked great for our hunting and gathering ancestors, but what happens to that energy for those of us who spend our days working at a computer?
The problem for many workers today is not that we lack the energy we need to do the job. Instead, it becomes an issue of keeping our bodies from turning the unused energy from the food we eat into destructive health conditions like increased blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat, and unhealthy cholesterol levels. The Mayo Clinic has even advised that too much sitting overall also raises the risk of death from heart disease and cancer.
This isn't just a problem for employees over 50, either. UC Riverside recently revealed a new study that indicated the negative health effects of prolonged sitting are now showing up in people as young as 30!
Are we stuck? Are we destined to experience all the adverse side effects of increased cholesterol levels and BMI? No, we are not!
Research indicates that 60-75 minutes of moderate aerobic physical activity a day can completely offset the effects of too much sitting! That can be a large chunk of time to meet after work hours, though, but here is a small list of ways to achieve these 'non-sitting' minutes while remaining on the clock!
- Take your call while standing
- Use a standing desk at work
- If you have a standing meeting with your coworkers, turn it into a walking meeting (AI will take notes for you!)
- Use a smart watch to remind you to move every hour
- Take 15 minutes in the morning and afternoon to stretch your body
There are so many ways to increase your activity throughout the day, and so many ways your whole life will change once you do. Adding these little movements to your days can not only have an incredibly positive effect on your body, but it can also modify your brain chemistry, giving you the endorphins you need to face your inbox!
Get Up! Move! Live the life you want with the body and mind you deserve!
Interested in learning more?
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Blue Shield of California Resources
If you'd like to learn more, please contact me at:
Chris Harris-Bissell
Senior Client Manager
charris-bissell@venbrook.com
914.432.4990 ext. 4990
